Match-making machine.



No. 68I,452. Patented Aug. 27, I901. A. KELLEY.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed J1me 3, 1898' I 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

HOYO-LITNQ. WASKINOYON, o. c.

No. 623L452. Patented Aug. 27, 1am. A. KELLEY.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Jun s. 1898 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 681,452. Patented Aug.' 27, 190i. A. KELLEY.

MATCH MAKING MACHINE.

{Application filed June 3. 1898 1 -Sheet 3.

3 Sheets UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

ALEXANDER KELLEY, l/VILMINGTON, DELAYVARE, ASSIGNOR OF TWO THIRDS TO WILLIAM B. CLERK, OF SAME PLACE, AND JOHN EDWARD ADDIOKS, OF OLAYMONT, DELAWVARE.

MATCH-MAK ING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681 ,452, dated August 27, 1901.

Application filed June 3, 1898. Serial No. 682,485. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER KELLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, in the county of Newcastle, State of Delaware, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Making Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in match-making machinery of that character which is more fully described and illustrated in my application filed May 22, 1896, the serial number of which is 592,605.

The invention disclosed in the application above mentioned employs a series of disconnected bars, between the adjacent ones of which match-splints are inserted, held and carried by an endless carrier through an endless path, a portion of which is curved where the said bars are disconnected or disengaged from the endless carrier and are caused to present the successive clamping-faces of each bar of the series against splint-s inserted between the bars, at which time each bar is moved independently of its carrier to bring adjacent bars into clamping relation. In the further travel of the bars in the endless path means are employed for again separating each bar from its carrier and from an adjacent bar for the purpose of delivering splints from between the faces of adjacent bars of the series. For details of construction and arrangement not herein shown and described reference is made to the application above mentioned.

Among the objects of the invention in the present instance are to provide an improvement in the guides for the main and the auxiliary chains, to provide means for preventing the rotation or deviation from a desired direction and position of a splint-engaging bar at the time at which it is disengaged from its carrier, and to provide means for depressing or elevating suchsplints as are irregularly presented to the clamping-bars, so that the entire line of splints shall be evenly arranged from end to end of the bars clamping the same, whereby uniformity of submersion of the sticks in the paraffin and composition tanks of the machine shall be secured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the principal elements of the machine involved or necessary to an understanding of the invention. Fig. 2 is a substantially central vertical section on the line 2 2 of Fig. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the splint-evening devices illustrated in Fig. '2. Fig. l is an elevation, with parts in section, of so much of the carriers and guides withtheir appurtenances .as are necessary to an understanding of the 5invention. ,line 5 5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the the arrow. Fig. 6 is a perspective of a portion of one of the splint-engaging bars of the machine, and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a match-making machine with parts broken away.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawlugs.

A represents the splint forming, presenting, and delivering portion of the machine,

through which passes the main chain B and I the auxiliary chain 0, the latter passing around sprockets O and both being controlled in their travel as fully set forth in the application above referred to. It is understood that the main chain B is positively guided away from the auxiliary chain 0 to disengage the pintles of the bars from the main chain during a portion of their travel through the splint forming, presenting, and delivering part A of the machine.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the guide D, through which the main and auxiliary chains pass, is provided in the top with a groove D for the auxiliary chain to guide it in a straight line of travel and somewhat closely adjacent to the end of the barE and also in moving contact with the pintle E of the bar. It is also understood that each of the bars E is provided with a series of grooves E upon each of its clamping sides, the bar in this instance being four-sided. The inner face of the chain-guide D is provided with an upper bar-guide F and a lower bar-supporting guide F, between which guides the bars E move and upon the lower one of which the bars E travel, taking contact at the rectangular body portion of the bar. By this construction the guide maintains the chains in their desired relative position and releases the pintles of the bars from excessive wear by supporting and guiding the bars at their rectangular portion, which position of support and guidance also insures smoothness grid accuracy of travel upon the part of the Within the main portion A of the machine there is arranged a rotating carrier or sprocket G, the hub of which is polygonal-that is, provided with flat faces G and a circumferential path (3. The auxiliary chain 0 passes overthat is to say, in the same vertical plane as that occupied by the circumferential path on the hub of the sprocket G, and the pintles E of the bars E extend through the links of the auxiliary chain and rest upon the sprocket and between its teeth G while a side of each of the bars rests upon a face G of the sprockethub after the bars leave the guide F. The circumferential path or track G3 may be formed for the chain 0, as clearlyshown in Fig. 5; but when said chain engages the pintles of the bars and when said bars rest with one of their flat faces upon the faces G of the hub it will be seen that the auxiliary chain does not contact with the hub of the sprocket, and therefore said circumferential path G is not occupied by the chain, so that said path is not absolutely essential to a satisfactory operation of the invention, and may therefore be omitted.

A guide pulley or roller H is provided above the chain 0, whereby in connection with the sprocket or carrier G the chains and the bars are caused to pass through a curved path. Now it will be noted that a side of a bar at the top of the sprocket gradually changes its position in passing through the curved path until said side which was at the top becomes the front side of said bar when thesprocket has made a quarter of a revolution. This will be clearly understood by reference to the figures l, placed adjacent to the mentioned side of the bar. During this motion the bar has made a quarter-revolution, bodily taking its axis or the center of its pintle as the center of the movement. It will also be noted that there is no rotation of the bar on its pintle and that the quarter-revolution of the bar is only relative to the position which it occupied when at the top of the sprocket. It is advantageous that the bars be prevented from rotating about their axis, especially at the time when each bar is disengaged from both a chain and the carrier or sprocket G. It is apparent that when so disengaged a slight rotative movement of a bar would prevent smoothness of operation, and when adjacent to the next barin advance such rotation of the bar would diminish the space between it and the next bar in front, so as to render the insertion of splints more difficult of accomplishment. In the operation of the machine when this rotation of the bar is prevented there is sufficient space between said bar and the next in front to readily insert a line of splints and to allow for the advancementof both bars under consideration; but should the bar which is disengaged partially rotate it so diminishes the space between the bars as to render the insertion of splintsdifticult, as before stated. Now to prevent such rotation or partial rotation of the disengaged bar I provide the spring-finger I, secured at one end to any suitable fixed part of the machine-for example, at I to the upper surface of the guide D-said spring being so curved and extended as to bear upon the pintle of the disengaged bar E. In this instance, with the parts arranged as shown, there is only one bar at a time disengaged from the diverging chain 0, so that the spring contacts with the pintle of but one bar. It is understood that there is a spring at each side of the machineone contacting with one pintle of a bar and the other contacting with the other pintle of the same bar.

J is the knocker or pusher of the machine, the function of which is to push the disengaged bar forward against the tension of the spring I and into contact with a series of splints which has been inserted between said bar and the one in front thereof, the spring during this travel of the bar yieldingly passing over the pintle and coming into contact with the pintle of the following bar as it arrives at this point of the machine. The contact-face J of the pusher or knocker J is vertical, so as to aid in preventing a partial ro tation of the bar E, against which it comes in contact. Other details of the knocker or pusher J, its operating devices, and their connections are fully shown and described in the application hereinbefore referred to. In Fig. 4 the main chain B, having the hollow rivets B for receiving the pintles of the splint-bars, is, for clearness of illustration, represented with shade-lines, while the auxiliary chain C is represented clearly in elevation and the rectangular bars by dotted lines. In Fig. 5 the upper portion of the gear-teeth G of the gear G are represented only in outline by dotted lines for the purpose of clearness of illustration.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, K represents a roll having a milled or roughened surface, and L represents a roll having longitudinal grooves L in its periphery. These rolls are employed for the purpose of evening the upper and lower endsof the splints between two adjacent bars of the series. They are mounted in housings M, secured in any suitable manner, as at M, to the guides D of the machine. The rolls K and L are geared together by gears N and N, the upper roll bearing a worm-gear N which meshes with a worm N on the shaft 0, which receives motion from gearing connected in any desirable manner with the moving parts of the machine.

By the improvements herein described it will be observed that the reduced portions ofthe bar-to wit, the pintlesare preserved from undue wear by supporting and guiding the bar at a portion thereof more adapted to withstand such. Wear, and, it will be observed, whatever splints may be projected too far above or below the bars by Which they are held and into which they are inserted at the main portion of the machine are, as they are carried by the bars and chains through between the wheels K and L, alined, those too far above the bars being depressed by the roller K, while those which were not fully inserted into the bars from below mesh with a longitudinal groove L of the roller L and in passing are raised until they are brought into proper position, whereby, as before stated, when dipped into the paraffin or into the composition-tank uniform heads are secured upon the splints.

The operation of the parts of the machine where the bars are caused to travel through a curved path will be readily understood from the description already given; but it may be well to state the fact that the close proximity of the bars, (when connected with either or both the main and auxiliary chains,) taken in connection with their form in cross-section, prevents the individ ual rotation of the bars to any great extent, as one bar would quickly abut against the next in the series. It therefore follows that the rotation which is to be prevented is such that will produce a lack of smoothness in the travel of the bars and a diminution of the space between a disengaged bar and the one in front of it, into clamping relation with which it is to be brought. Now to prevent this slightrotation-this tremulous jumping vibratory travel of each individual bar when engaged with a chaina face of the bar is supported on guides and on the polygonal hub of the sprocket, and to prevent such a movement or travel or slight rotation of the bar and to secure its square presentation from the chain and the sprocket to the guide F and knocker or pusher J the spring-fingers I are provided. It will be obvious that the path of the auxiliary chain diverges from the rotary path of the sprocket, so as to release the bar from the chain and leave the same in the tooth of the sprocket-wheel. The spring- .finger I now acts to hold the bar in the teeth of the sprocket just as and after the auxiliary chain leaves the pintles of the bar and travels in a diverging path to the sprocket or at an angle to the periphery thereof.

Numerous details of construction have been described in the foregoing specification; but the same may be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

As heretofore stated, the improvements claimed herein are adapted and intended for use in cooperation and combination with the several parts shown in my Patent No.606,994, and to more fully indicate the relative positions thereof reference is made to Fig. 7, in which certain parts fully described in the said patent are reproduced herein. In said figure the splint cutting and receiving mechanism is illustrated in connection with an evener mechanism, a splint-heating and paraffin-applying device, and a composition-tank. The pusher J is shown as actuated by the lever J, the latter being driven from the cam J while the splints are fed to the receiving-carrier by the reciprocating cutter-head P, carrying the cutter-bar P and driven by the crank upon the shaft P In the downward movement of this cutter-bar the splints are cut from the block P and in its upward movement presented between the carrier-bars to be clamped thereby. After passing the evener mechanism the splints are heated by passing over a suitable heater Q and thence over a paraffintank Q, protected by a hood Q The splints pass thence to the composition-applying device R at the end of the machine, which is provided with a steam or water jacket R, connected with a suitable trap and connections R From this point the splints are carried by the bars E throughout the drying-circuit and finally delivered at the opposite end of the machine. The several parts just mentioned have not been specifically described, as the same are fully set forth in my patent hereinbefore referred to.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a match-making machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, and a splint-evening roll provided with a roughened splint-engaging surface; substantially as specified.

2. In a match-making machine, the combination of a splint-carrier adapted to receive and carry splints transversely to the carrier in rows transverse to the carrier, and parallel evening-rolls located upon opposite sides of IIO said carrier to respectively engage the opposite ends of irregularly-held splints, the axis of said rolls being parallel to the face of the carrier and to the rows of splints.

3. In a match-making machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, and evening-rolls located upon opposite sides thereof, one of which is provided with longitudinal grooves .or depressions; substantially as specified.

4-. In a match-making machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, evening-rolls upon opposite sides of the carrier, one of which is provided with a roughened periphery and the opposite roll with a grooved periphery; substantially as specified.

5. In a match-making machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, and evening mechanism embodying a longitudinally-grooved roll located to engage the ends of irregularly.- placed splints; substantially as specified.

6. In a match-making machine, the combination of a carrier composed of chains and bars provided with pintles at opposite ends, guides for said chains, and supporting-guides for said carrier-bars upon which the body of the bar travels; substantially as specified.

'7. In a match-making machine, the combination of a carrier composed of chains and bars provided with pintles at opposite ends, guides for said chains engaging the top and sides thereof, and supportingguides for said carrier-bar upon which the body of the bar travels; substantially as specified.

8. In a match-making machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars, a carrier therefor, means to engage said bars and remove them from the carrier, and means to retain said bars in engagement with said disengaging means and adapted to permit their release from said disengaging means at a point in the travel thereof; substantially as specified.

9. In a match-making machine, the com-bination of a series of splint-engaging bars, carrier-chains for moving the same, wheels adapted to engage said bars and moving in a path diverging from the path traversed by said chains, spring-fingers extending concentric with the periphery of said wheels and provided with a free end, and means for removing said bars from said wheels; substantially as specified.

10. In a matchmaking machine, the combination of a series of bars angular in crosssection, the opposing sides of adjacent bars being adapted to receive and engage matchsplints, a chain for moving said bars, a rotary device for moving said bars in a path diverging from the path of the chain and provided with portions to engage the sides of the bars and retain them in a fixed relation to said device, and means for disengaging the bars from said rotary device; substantially as specified.

1.1. In a1natch-making machine, the combination of a series of bars angular in crosssection, a chain for moving said bars, a 1'0- tary bar-engaging device moving in a path diverging from the path traversed by said chain, and means carried by said rotary device to engage the sides of the bars when in contact withsaid device; substantially as specified.

12. In a match-making machine, the combination of a series of bars angular in crosssection, a carrier-chain for moving said bars,. a bar-engaging device moving in a path diverging from the path of the chain, and means carried by said device for maintaining the bars in a relative position to said device during their engagement therewith; substantially as specified.

13. In a match-making machine, the combination with a series of splint-engaging bars angular in cross-section, a carrier-chain for moving said bars, a bar-engaging device traversing a path diverging from the path of the chain, and means independent of the bars and having faces adapted to abut' against said bars to retain the bars against movement relative to said device; substantially as specified.

14. In a match-making machine, the combination of a series of bars angular in crosssection, between adjacent ones of which splints are to be held, a carrier-chain for moving said bars, a bar-engaging device traversing a path diverging from the path of the chain, and in cans engaging said bars to maintain the same in a relative position to said device during their engagement therewith; substantially as specified.

15. In a match-making machine, the combination of a series of bars angular in crosssection and provided with pintles at their opposite ends, a carrier for said bars,and toothed wheels to engage said pintles and disengage the bars from the carrier, said wheels being provided with angular surfaces to retain the bars in their relative position to the wheels as the latter revolve; substantially as specified.

16. In a match-makin g machine, the combination of a carrier composed of bars, between adjacent ones of which splints are to be held, and chains to move said bars, guides for said chains, and supporting-guides for said carrier-bars extending adjacent to the upper and lower faces thereof; substantially as specified.

17. In a match-making machine, the combination of a carrier composed of chains and bars angular in cross-section, guides for said chains, and supporting-guides for said carrier-bars extending adjacent to the opposite faces of the angular body of said bars; substantially as specified.

18. In amatch-making machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars angular in cross-section, between adjacent ones of which splints are to be held, a carrierchain for said bars movable in a curved path, toothed wheels to engage said bars and remove the same from said carrier, said wheels being provided with polygonal surfaces upon which said bars rest when in engagement with said wheels; substantially as specified.

19. In a match-making machine, the combination of a series of bars, between adjacent ones of which splints are to be held, carrierchains therefor, wheels adapted to move said bars in a path diverging from the path of the chain, and spring-fingers adapted to engage the lowermost bar after the same has been released from the carrier-chain substantially as specified.

20. In a match-making machine, the combination of a series of bars, between adjacent ones of which splints are to be held, carrierchains therefor, wheels adapted to move said bars in a path diverging from the path of the chain, spring-fingers adapted to engage the lowermost bar after the same has been released from the carrier-chain, and means for moving said lowermost bar from engagement with said spring fingers; substantially as specified.

21. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars, between adjacent ones of which splints are held, a

chain or carrier therefor, a rotary carrier for disengaging saidbars from the latter, and means rotating with said rotary device that engage said bars and'prevent the rotation of the same on their axes relative to the carrier when carried by the latter; substantially as specified.

22. In a match-machine, the combination with a series of splint-engaging bars that are angular in cross-section, with pintles at their ends, a chainor carrier for said bars, and toothed wheels to engage said pintles and disengage the bars from the carrier, said wheels having surfaces to engage the bars to prevent the rotation thereof relative to the Wheels as the latter revolve; substantially as and for the purpose described. 7

23. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of bars, angular in cross-section, the opposing sides of adjacent bars being adapted to engage the splints, a chain for engaging and moving said bars, a bar-engaging device moving in a path diverging from that traveled by the chain, to take the bars from the latter, and means whereby the position of the bars relative to said device may be maintained during the time of their engagement there: with; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

24. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of bars, angular in cross-section, the opposing sides of adjacent bars being adapted to engage the splints, a chain for engaging and moving said bars, a bar-engaging device moving in a path diverging from that traveled by the chain,- to take the bars from the' latter, and means carried by said device that engage and hold the bars from movement relative thereto, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

25. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of bars, angular in cross-section, the opposing sides of adjacent bars being adapted to engage the splints, a chain for engaging and moving said'bars, a bar-engaging device moving in a path diverging from that traveled by the chain, to take the bars from the latter, and means, engaging the sides of the bars, carried by said bar engaging and moving device, substantially as and for the pur-- pose described.

26. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, means for feeding splints thereto, a splint-evening roll having a roughened splint-engaging surface, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

27. In a match=machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, means for feeding splints thereto, and rolls on opposite sides of the carrier, one of which has its periphery grooved or fluted, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

28. Inamatch-machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, means for feeding splints thereto and rolls on opposite sides of the carrier, one of which has a roughened periphery and the other a grooved or fluted periphery, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

29. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, means for feeding splints thereto, and an evener mechanism comprising in part a grooved or fluted roll adapted to engage the ends of irregularly-placed splints; substantially as and for the purpose described.

30. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars, a chain or carrier therefor, means for disengaging said bars from the latter that cause them to move in a curved path, and means to hold said bars in engagement with said disengaging means, adapted to permit their release at a certain point in their travel; substantially as and for the purpose specified.

31. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars, a chain or carrier therefor, a device to engage with and move said bars from the latter, and means to hold said bars in engagement with said de vice, adapted to permit their release at a certain point in their travel therewith, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

32. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars, carrierchains therefor, wheels to engage the bars whose peripheries move in paths from which the chains diverge, spring-plates extending concentric with said wheels, having one end free, and means moving the bars from the wheels, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In a match-machine, the combination of a series of bars, angular in cross-section, the opposing sides of adjacent bars being adapted to engage the splints, a chain for engaging and moving said bars, a bar-engaging device moving in a path diverging from that traveled by the chain, to take the bars from the latter, means whereby the position of the bars relative to said device may be maintained during their engagement therewith, and means for feeding splints into position for engagement by the bar sides; substantially as and for the purpose shown.

34:. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of bars, angular in cross-section, the opposing sides of adjacent bars being adapted to engage the splints, a chain for engaging and moving said bars, a rotary barengaging device for moving said bars in a path diverging from the path of the chain,to disengage the bars and chain, portions of which device engage the sides of the bars and hold them in a fixed position relative to the device, means for moving the bars from said device into engagement with the chain again, and means for placing splints in the path of the bars as they are moved after such reengagement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

35. In a match-machine, the combination of a splint-carrier, means for feeding splints thereto, dipping mechanism and rolls on opposite sides of said carrier adapted to respectively engage the opposite ends of irregularlyplaced splints, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

86. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars, between adjacent ones of which splints are to be held, a chain carrier therefor, means for disengaging said bars from the latter and positivelyacting means that engage the bars while heiug disengaged and control their rotation on their axes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

37. In a match-machine, the combination of a series of splint-engaging bars that are angular in cross-section between adjacent ones of which splints areheld, a chain or carriage therefor, a rotary carrier device for disengaging said bars from the latter, and means that engage the flat sides of the bars for preventing rotation of said bars on their axes relative to said rotary carrier when carried 

